The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games medals have been designed and created through collaboration between local creativity and specialist craftsmanship.
From the artist who developed the concept to the team responsible for producing the final medals, the process brings together Glasgow’s design talent with more than 200 years of medal-making expertise.
Who designed the medals?
The Glasgow 2026 medals were designed by Militsa “Milly” Milenkova, an artist, designer and maker based in Glasgow. Militsa holds a BA (Hons) in Silversmithing and Jewellery from The Glasgow School of Art, where she is also an Artist in Residence. Her practice focuses on creating objects as a way of expressing thoughts, emotions and personal reflections. She is drawn to ideas that capture her curiosity, using material experimentation to explore them further. Through her work, Militsa examines the everyday and the overlooked, questioning how we assign value and meaning to objects.
By reinterpreting familiar forms, materials and objects, she invites people to reconsider what is considered precious and why. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and is held in private collections.
How was the designer chosen?
Glasgow 2026 is committed to designing and creating key visual and ceremonial elements with local artists.
A group of artists in residence at The Glasgow School of Art were invited to submit concepts for the Glasgow 2026 medal design as part of a competition.
The submitted concepts were reviewed by a judging panel made up of representatives from Commonwealth Sport, Glasgow 2026, Glasgow School of Art, the medal fabricator and an independent jewellery and silversmithing expert.
Militsa's design stood out for its clear narrative connection between the host city and the Games, informed by personal experience. The inclusion of braille was recognised as a considered approach to accessibility, while the overall storytelling aligned strongly with the values of the Games.
Who manufactured the medals?
The medals are being manufactured by Toye, Kenning and Spencer, a family-owned team of craftsmen based in Birmingham’s world-renowned Jewellery Quarter.
The company has been working for more than 200 years and brings specialist knowledge in medal-making, ceremonial objects and fine craftsmanship. Toye, Kenning and Spencer also manufactured the medals for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
For Glasgow 2026, their role is to bring Militsa's design to life, turning a concept rooted in Glasgow’s story into a finished medal that athletes will carry home as part of their Games experience.
